Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
“You’re concerned about something, though?” she asks.
Might as well feel her out, see what she thinks. “If I want to coach the university program, it starts in May.”
Her eyes flare. “We’ll be in the middle of playoffs.”
“Ryker could handle the playoffs.”
“There has to be another option.”
“The summer high school program starts in July.”
“You’d be able to finish out the season, then.”
“Early retirement would mean we could be together sooner. We could stop fighting the draw.” I wouldn’t have to keep lying to the people I love.
Her conflict is written all over her face. “It’s only a couple more months, Roman. The team needs you.”
I want to tell her I need her. But I don’t want to put that kind of pressure on her, or us. So I let it go. For now. “Okay. We’ll get through the season.”
But I keep that card in my back pocket. Because the longer we do this, the harder it becomes to deny the truth.
I’m in love with Alexandria Forrester.
CHAPTER 28
LEXI
Ihead down the hall to Hammer’s office. Callie’s hockey practice was canceled because there’s a problem with the rink. The cancellation email popped up just before I went into a meeting. Fee has dance rehearsals, so Hammer graciously offered to pick Callie up and bring her here.
My heart stutters when I reach her office and take in the scene before me. It’s a snapshot of what the future could look like. Hammer sits behind her desk, typing away on her computer. Callie is seated at the small conference table homework spread out, a carton of chocolate milk and a half-eaten scone from the bakery across the street on a napkin next to her. And beside her is Roman, arm stretched across the back of her chair while they work through her math problems.
How would Hammer react if she found out we’ve been lying to her and everyone else? It makes me feel like trash, especially with the way this team, and especially the women on staff, have showed up for me and the girls since we joined the Terror family. The fear of losing all of this is terrifying.
I push those thoughts away. The end of the season is coming, and with that will be freedom. “Hey, how’s it going?”
All three heads turn my way.
“Lexi!” Callie’s chair screeches obnoxiously across the floor and she rushes over, throwing her arms around me. “Hammer and Roman picked me up from school! And the head secretary took pictures with Roman, and he gave autographs and everything. We stopped at a bakery, and I tried a scone. And Roman has been helping me with math and I’m almost finished with all my homework! Roman said you have ice time with Connor Grace soon. Can I come to the rink and watch you practice?” She’s flying high on the thrill of it all.
“Wow! Sounds like an eventful afternoon, of course you can come to the rink.”
“Yay! I’ll pack up my stuff!” She bounces back to the table.
“Thank you.” I glance between Hammer and Roman. “Both of you. I really appreciate you coming to the rescue.”
“It was really no problem,” Hammer says with a smile.
“Gave me an excuse to spend some time with Peggy and my favorite goalie before we hit the ice.” Roman winks at Callie who beams up at him.
I move in to help put her things back in her pencil case. The guilt is real and heavy as Hammer comes around to help, too.
“I’ll see you before the game?” Hammer asks her dad.
“Absolutely, kiddo.”
He gives her a hug and she kisses his cheek.
Callie skips over to Hammer and wraps her arms around her waist. “Thanks for picking me up, and for bringing Roman with you.”
“It was my pleasure. Next time you come to a game we’ll sit together in the box, okay?” Hammer asks.
“Okay!”
Callie slips her hand into mine and Roman slings her backpack over his shoulder. It’s comically small compared to the size of him.
“See you later!” I glance over my shoulder to find Hammer smiling softly.
And I wonder, again, how upset she would be if she knew the truth.
“I’m going to watch the game at home tonight. Or at least the first period and maybe part of the second because I have school tomorrow and if I stay up late, I’m grumpy the next day.”
“I get grumpy when I stay up late, too,” Roman commiserates.
“You do? I’ve never seen you be grumpy. Except on the ice when someone scores on you. I don’t like it when someone scores on me either.”
We round the corner and my stomach lurches as Donnie walks out of Thomas’s office. His eyebrows rise as he takes in the three of us, walking down the hall together, Roman still holding Callie’s backpack.
“Hey, Donnie. How’s it going?” Roman is all smiles and friendliness.
I’m in a mild panic spiral, worried that Donnie will jump to accurate conclusions.